Media release from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has released a request for tender (RFT) for a supplier to provide a comprehensive new system for issuing passports.
"In the May 2010 budget, DFAT was funded with $100.8 million dollars over six years for this major IT program," said DFAT Chief Information Officer Tuan Dao.
"With the release of the request for tender, the Passport Redevelopment Program has reached a major milestone."
The Passport Redevelopment Program solution will enable the Australian Passport Office to satisfy increasing demand for Australian passports. Current projections are that there will be more than two million passport applications by 2015, when the current passport system will be reaching the end of its working life.
The new passport issuing system will help DFAT achieve better client service including through improvements to the online passport application process.
Mr Tuan Dao said the program will give DFAT the opportunity to examine and evaluate innovative offerings from the IT industry.
"The new IT system will streamline and automate several passport production processes, with online services, scanning, case management, fraud control, workflow and passport printing solutions," Mr Tuan Dao said.
"We are also taking this opportunity to integrate DFAT's passport IT systems into DFAT's broader IT environment."
Details of the RFT are available on the AusTender site. An information session for potential tenderers will be held at DFAT head office in Canberra on 7 October 2011. Registration is via the AusTender website.